Sampler survey or remnants of my years of teaching at 3rd Ward

I taught embroidery at 3rd Ward starting in 2009. Over the years, I connected with hundreds of talented and creative adults from all over New York City and surrounding areas, some of whom have since taken workshops with me elsewhere, remaining important members of my artistic and teaching network. I am grateful for everything I learned from my students, and for our inspiring group conversations, critiques, and skill shares. I still have yarns an anonymous student left at the reception desk for me one day, many years after the initial donation.

Below are a few of the in-class samplers I created. Their quirkiness and inconsistencies reflect the varying requests, needs and interests of class members. Perhaps befitting historical precedents, these samplers tell their own stories...

Embroidered Tweets and Love Notes, Saturday at 3rd Ward

Dear blog readers,

Some fun things are brewing. I recently added a whole bunch of new classes to my 3rd Ward embroidery workshops roster.

This Saturday is Embroidered Tweets and Love Notes - perfect for beginners! Sign up now via 3rd Ward's web site. The deadline to enroll is Thursday, so don't miss out!

As I mentioned, the class is this Saturday, 12/1, from 1:30-5:30 at 3rd Ward in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Natural Dye Experiments

Last Saturday, I taught another Extraordinary Embroidery (intro) class at 3rd Ward. As usual, I had a great group of students, including 3 women visiting from France, and a book artist, Rebecca Kelly, who brought in some fabrics dyed with natural dyes (walnut, berries). Her work and passion for dyeing inspired me to try it myself. 

As I write this, an antique swatch with a lace border is simmering in a bed of mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries) with some rice vinegar as mordant.

Pictured below is fabric dyed with purple onion skin and rice vinegar mordant. Also pictured is the first embroidered tweet made from the onion skin-dyed fabric.

Purple onion skin-dyed fabric

"My heart is a tuning fork, and it's calling you in, my one true love."

Machine Embroidery — A Life Changing Experience!

I had a life-changing experience on Monday evening. I visited my friend, Antonius Wiriadjaja, artist in residence at NYU's ITP program in Manhattan. He took my intro embroidery class at 3rd Ward, and subsequently invited me to check out his computerized embroidery machine.

One visit, and I'm hooked! Using the pen tool in Illustrator, I "drew" one of the phrases I would normally stitch by hand. I decided to treat the text as a line drawing, which is how I think of my embroidery. Antonius then showed me how to use software he downloaded, which takes the Illustrator file and converts it to a format the embroidery machine can use. The funniest part was seeing how the software made a linear drawing out of my "text," inserting long floats, or trails of thread to connect breaks in my drawing. Normally, one would use scissors to cut these floats by hand. I decided to keep them, because I see them as a map of how the embroidery machine works and thinks. They add to the linear quality of the text-drawing.

Below are two images: the machine embroidery, which is considerably larger and has a playful inconsistency, and my hand-stitched rendering, which has a more private and discrete sensibility.

Many thanks to Antonius for opening my eyes and hands to a new potential format for my work. I am now going to search for grant opportunities so that I, too can have an embroidery machine.

Thank you, embroidery thread fairy

I had a wonderful surprise today. 


I teach embroidery at 3rd Ward in Bushwick, Brooklyn. I was pleased and surprised to find a huge bag of threads of all different colors and twists and finishes left behind by an anonymous donor for my classes. 


Maybe the embroidery thread fairy reads my blog? If so, thank you so much for the thread. It is being put to good use by my students.

Stitch with me this September (and October and November)

Hi fellow artists, craftspeople, creatives, designers, lovers of fun and Brooklyn.

Let's embroider together this fall. Upcoming workshops include:

FOR BEGINNERS ~

1. Embroidery 101 @ 61 Local

61 Bergen Street, Brooklyn (near Smith Street and the F/G trains to Bergen Street)

Wednesday, 9/14, 7-8:30pm with instructor (me) available until 9pm
This is a total intro class where you will learn basic stitches. Within the first half hour, you will be able to stitch your name.

Cost is $35 including supplies. Sign up on skillshare:

http://www.skillshare.com/Embroidery-101/591490391

2. Classes at 3rd Ward in Bushwick, Brooklyn

Sunday, 9/18, 11am-2pm

Saturday, 10/15, 1:30-4:30pm

Saturday, 11/19, 1:30-4:30pm
$60 + $10 materials fee

You can sign up for one session; each session is 3 hours
Info covered: basic stitches + techniques for transferring images onto fabric and drawing and writing with thread.

Link for more info and registration:
http://www.3rdward.com/3rdwardclasses/extraordinary-embroidery.html

FOR BEGINNERS, EXPERTS AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN:
3. Pratt CCPS, 144 West 14th Street, NYC, F/L/1/2/3 to 14th Street
The Embroidered Art Journal, Design and Craft Projects

This class is the most in depth, and allows you to develop a project from conception through technical trouble shooting with instructor and peer feedback and support.

PMDA-106-01
October 16 - November 20
Sunday mornings, 9:30am-12:30pm
$305

PMDA-106-02
September 16 - October 28
Fridays, 6:30-9:30pm
$305

http://my.pratt.edu to register or 212-647-7199

Teaching here, there, and everywhere

This spring/summer, I am teaching here, there, and everywhere. 

If you'd like to join me, here's how:

1. Extraordinary Embroidery

1-day, 3-hour workshop at 3rd Ward, 573 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, btwn Lorimer and Union

Saturday, May 15, 2:30-5:30pm

For more info -   http://www.3rdward.com/3rdwardclasses/extraordinary-embroidery.html -

2. The Embroidered Art Journal, PMDA 104-01 - 5 weeks

Wednesday evenings, 6:30-9:30, June 2-June 30

@ Pratt Manhattan

No previous experience with embroidery, sewing, or book arts needed.

For more info: http://www.pratt.edu/academics/continuing_education_and_professional/faculty_and_staff/bio/?id=iolenick

To register, you can go online: http://my.pratt.edu, or call 212-647-7199.

3. SECTION II: The Embroidered Art Journal, PMDA 104-02 - 5 weeks

Friday evenings, 6:30-9:30, July 9 - August 6

@ Pratt Manhattan

For more info: http://www.pratt.edu/academics/continuing_education_and_professional/faculty_and_staff/bio/?id=iolenick

To register, you can go online: http://my.pratt.edu, or call 212-647-7199.

4. Incorporating Embroidery into Art, Design, and Craft Projects, PMDA

106 - 8 weeks

Sundays, 9:30am - 12:30pm, May 23- July 18th

This class is ideal for those who are new to embroidery and are already comfortable working in another artistic/creative medium.

For more info: http://www.pratt.edu/academics/continuing_education_and_professional/faculty_and_staff/bio/?id=iolenick

To register, you can go online: http://my.pratt.edu, or call 212-647-7199.

5. Crafting Stories through Fiber - PMDA 107 - 8 weeks

Sundays 1pm - 4pm, May 23 - July 18

This class will give you tools for expressing your story through embroidery, fabric, and fiber arts, and is perfect for beginners, as well as more experienced embroiderers, artists, and craftspeople.

For more info: http://www.pratt.edu/academics/continuing_education_and_professional/faculty_and_staff/bio/?id=iolenick

To register, you can go online: http://my.pratt.edu, or call 212-647-7199.

Get stitchy in April

Over the course of teaching the past few years, I've created numerous stitch samplers. I have also discovered which types of stitches seem to confound and confuse, and which bring nearly instant delight and gratification. I like to challenge and reward my students, and I always learn from them. 

By the end of a single, 3-hour class, students are able to embroider their names using a combination of different stitches, and begin a portrait or drawing.

If you'd like to learn with me, here are some workshops in April:

1. 5 weeks of studio time with Iviva - The Embroidered Art Journal class at Pratt Center for Continuing and Professional Studies (14th Street and 7th Ave in Manhattan):

5 Wednesdays:

April 21 - May 19th, 6:30-9:30pm

Registration:

http://my.pratt.edu

212-647-7199

After mastering a dozen stitches for decorative and practical use, we will explore a range of methods for interpreting photographs as embroideries, drawing with thread, and transferring images and text onto fabric.

The goal is for each student to embark on a personal project that incorporates embroidery and narrative. Mixed media projects are encouraged.

Previous students have worked on a wide range of pursuits: one is in the process of making a book for her soon-to-be grandchild, another did preparatory work for exhibition pieces for a show. Students experimented with non-traditional materials, like sewing on bubble wrap and other forms of packaging. Some created sculptural "landscapes" by manipulating fabric and thread. Others reinterpreted their own drawings and illustrations using fabric and thread.

The possibilities for this class are endless...

2. Saturday, April 3rd (next weekend!!) 3 hours of studio time

3rd Ward in Williamsburg, Brooklyn

3-6pm

For more info and to register: 3rd Ward

Get an early start to the evening by joining me for a 3-hour embroidery-athon.

In addition to tackling stitches from the sampler up top, we will review methods for transferring images onto fabric, and for interpreting graphic images and photographs as embroideries. 

I will supply materials. Come with your favorite fabric, a piece in progress, and any questions you may have. 

Vote for Iviva - Artists Wanted Self Portrait Contest

I decided to enter a portrait contest sponsored by Artists Wanted. In addition to a carefully selected jury of curators/art world illuminati, there is a popular vote component to the contest.

I included three of my stitched pieces where my image features prominently. Above is one of the images I included. 

To see the other two images, and to cast your vote in my favor, you can  click here.

Thank you so much for your support. And thanks to the friends who have already voted. I appreciate the love and positive feedback.

Embroidery workshops in the new year - get your stitch on!

Hustle in the new year with some creative workshops. 

Here are some embroidery classes perfect for beginners and more experienced stitchers: 

1) Course: The Embroidered Art Journal 10/SP-PMDA-104-01

When: five, 3-hour class sessions on Sundays from 10am - 1pm - 

January 31 - February 28

Where: Pratt Center for Continuing and Professional Studies in Manhattan

For full course listing: Click here

To register: http://my.pratt.edu OR http://www.pratt.edu OR call 212-647-7199 and register with a credit card M-Th 10am-6pm; F 10am-2pm

This class is offered again in the spring on Wednesdays, April 21 - May 19, 6:30-9:30pm–10/SP-104-02.

2) Extraordinary Embroidery - 3-hour workshop

When: Saturday, January 9th from 1-4pm

Where: 3rd Ward in Williamsburg - 573 Metropolitan Avenue, just steps from the L/G train stop to Lorimer/Metropolitan

To register and for more info: Click here

3. Course: Extraordinary Embroidery - 3-hour workshop

When: Saturday, February 13th, 11am-2pm

Where: 3rd Ward in Williamsburg - 573 Metropolitan Avenue, just steps from the L/G train stop to Lorimer/Metropolitan

To register and for more info: Click here

Intro to Embroidery

If you are in the NYC area and would like an introductory crash course on embroidery, I am teaching a 3-hour workshop on Tuesday, May 19 from 6:30-9:30pm at Etsy at 3rd Ward in Bushwick, Brooklyn. For details, visit 3rd Ward's web site.

When the Shoe Doesn't Fit

I've tried on and run in many pairs of sneakers, just as I've tried out many men. I am not sure in which area I have done more research.

"When the Shoe Doesn't Fit," finished piece at right, says:
"My slow accumulation of boyfriends, like pairs of running sneakers. Some hurt and were hardly worn. I hoped some would mold, magically, to my feet. Others, I ran in blissfully. I held on as long as they held up. Now, after years of waiting for the other shoe to drop, I know to try on many pairs until I find one I won't want to take off. I know when to say no, even if it hurts. And I am learning how to slow down."

As for learning to slow down, I am picking up speed and mileage.

The drawings at left, my study for the finished piece at right, are from an embroidery class I taught at Etsy Labs in Brooklyn last spring. After my students practiced French knots (see right-hand image), which require small, tight movements, there were sighs of frustration. To loosen up, I had my students do a continuous line drawing of one of my sneakers. This exercise is like a game where you continue drawing and do not pick up your pen until I say stop. I participated, too, and later went home and added more sneakers.

To sign up for an embroidery class: Etsy at 3rd Ward in Bushwick, Brooklyn:
http://www.3rdward.com/classes/spring/etsyward see Extraordinary Embroidery.
Next one is Saturday, April 11, 12noon-3pm.